With Nexstar Media Group’s “News Nation” primetime newscast set to debut September 1 on WGN America, anchors and correspondents from competing networks may no longer be welcome as guests on WGN 720-AM, the company’s news/talk station. Sean Compton, the Nexstar executive vice president who oversees WGN, told staffers in a memo Monday: “Now, with News Nation launching, that will be our go-to for national news talent needs. No more CNN or Fox News personalities — let’s promote and encourage our own product.” Also declared persona non grata on WGN Radio: Svengoolie, the iconic horror-movie host played for more than 40 years by Rich Koz. “As part of Nexstar Media, it’s frustrating to see our own talent promoting and encouraging competitive podcasts and media,” Compton wrote. “This past weekend we had a talent promoting Svengoolie who works at Me-TV. Remember that we own Antenna TV, and Me-TV is a primary competitor.”
Remember this--doing a radio show is not about entertaining and informing the audience. The only thing that matters is promoting the brand and keeping the advertisers happy. This is why I don't miss being in radio. I got fed up having these arguments in meetings. The listeners are merely an afterthought.
